Renting an apartment in Thailand, how to rent an apartment in Thailand

Renting an apartment in Thailand, how to rent an apartment in Thailand

Contents:

  1. Rental housing market in Thailand
  2. Book an apartment online
  3. Apartment rental for short term
  4. Long-term apartment rental
  5. What are the main things to ask when renting an apartment in Thailand?
  6. Seasonality factor
  7. How much does housing cost in Thailand
  8. How much does it cost to live by the sea in Thailand
  9. We recommend

Thailand is a country that attracts more and more tourists every year. And the issue of renting housing in the kingdom is quite acute. You can try to find an apartment on your own or contact a travel agency. Let's take a closer look at how to rent an apartment in Thailand and what aspects you should pay attention to.

The rental housing market in Thailand

The rental housing market in the kingdom is quite large. There are both budget and luxury options.

Expensive housing. Its cost starts from 1 thousand dollars per month. Typically, such rental housing is located in a convenient location: near the sea, a transport stop. The area also usually has well-developed infrastructure. There are shops, pharmacies and so on nearby. The houses are large, comfortable, and may have a swimming pool, children's playground, etc.

Cheap housing. Rates start at $300 for a month's stay. These can be simple bungalow houses, 1-2 rooms in condominiums. The sea is usually far away, the infrastructure is not very developed.

Housing can be rented from the owners or through intermediaries. In the second case, the rental cost will be almost 20% higher. But owners of luxury housing usually do not work directly, only through realtors.

Book an apartment online

You can book an apartment online in Thailand in two ways: through an intermediary (realtor) and by directly contacting the owner. In the second case, it will be a little more difficult, since Thais do not know English well and usually communicate in the so-called “Thayinglish.”

You can book accommodation remotely through services such as Airbnb or Skyscanner or on the website of a tour operator that offers holidays in Thailand.

It is best not to book online if you are planning to rent an apartment for a long time. Firstly, pictures often differ from reality. Secondly, it is difficult to find out all the features of the property, especially if the owner of the property does not speak English well. Another disadvantage is the need for collateral. And if you change your mind about going, no one will return your deposit.

Rent an apartment for a short period

If you are going on vacation, then short-term rental housing is suitable for you. In this case, the owners usually provide everything necessary for a comfortable stay: from kitchen utensils to bed linen, which is regularly washed and updated. A tourist does not need to worry about anything[2]. The cost of short term rentals is usually higher than long term rentals. In tourist cities it is much easier to find short-term accommodation. There are many options to suit every taste and budget.

Long-term apartment rental

Renting housing for a long term involves concluding an agreement that describes all the features of the transaction. Thais usually take care of their housing, so you can count on a well-cleaned apartment.

What are the main things you need to ask when renting an apartment in Thailand?

  • 1. Household conditions. Find out if there is a microwave, stove, all the necessary utensils, water heater, air conditioning;
  • 2. Payment for electricity and water, its cost. Usually it is 3.5 and 20 baht per 1 kW and 1 cubic meter. But some homeowners may request twice as much;
  • 3. Is there Internet, how well does it work;
  • 4. Are there cockroaches or ants in the house (this is a fairly common problem in Thailand);
  • 5. Are there mosquito nets in each room?
  • 6. Humidity level. When choosing an apartment, look in the closets. If the humidity is high, there may be mold.

Seasonality factor

The price of rental housing and the number of options depends on the season and time of year. For the same apartment, the price may be 2 times different in July and February, for example. The low season in Thailand is considered to be the period from April to November. That is why at this time you can find inexpensive housing and even bargain well.

In high season, it is almost impossible to get discounts, as well as to find good housing at an adequate price. This is due to the fact that it is not even offered for rent. In most cases, housing is reserved long before the start of the season by regular tourists, companies, etc.

How much does housing cost in Thailand

The cost of housing depends on several factors: city, region, distance from the sea, infrastructure development, living conditions, rental period. For example, if you rent a condominium for a short period, its cost will be approximately 60 thousand baht[1]. And when concluding a contract for a year, the price can be half as much. Here is an example of the difference in the cost of the same housing:

  • Upon concluding a contract for a year – 650 dollars;
  • From April to November (for 2-3 months) – 850 dollars;
  • Winter – 1300 dollars (for 1 winter month).

How much does it cost to live by the sea in Thailand

It all depends on the quality of housing, its type, infrastructure and other factors. During the season, the cost usually starts from $800 per month.

We recommend

Here you can find short-term and long-term housing options in Thailand. We offer proven options for apartments, hotels, houses, villas, apartments. There are different price categories of housing available. If you need help choosing, our consultants will definitely help you!

Our website also contains a large number of the best offers for the sale of real estate in Thailand. Here you will find accommodation for every taste and preference.

Buying a villa or a cozy apartment is easier with Islanders, because our specialists will accompany you throughout the entire process, ensuring that the purchase of real estate will go smoothly and bring you profit.

References

[1]. Makeeva S. Downshifting, or how to work for pleasure, not depend on traffic jams and do what you want. – Litres, 2011.

[2]. Ryazantsev S.V., Rostovskaya T.K., Peremyshlin S. N. Gender aspects of labor migration in Russia: trends, consequences, regulation // Woman in Russian society. – 2019. – No. 4. – pp. 53-65.